Comparison of STOP-BANG and Berlin Questionnaire in the Prediction of Overweight and Obese Patients Developing Desaturation during Induction of General Anesthesia: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea increases perioperative risk due to compromised airway patency. This study compared the predictive capabilities of the STOP-BANG and Berlin Questionnaires for intraoperative desaturation among overweight and obese patients undergoing general endotracheal anesthesia.

AIMS: The study primarily aimed to compare desaturation onset time and time to reach 93% oxygen saturation on room air during induction of general anesthesia. Secondary objectives included assessing associated airway complications.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary hospital with overweight and obese patients undergoing elective surgeries under general endotracheal anesthesia.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Hundred patients aged 18-60 years, body mass index ≥ 25 belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Class I-II, divided based on assessment by STOP-BANG (Group S) and Berlin (Group B) Questionnaire participated in the study. Standard anesthesia protocols were followed. SpO2, heart rate, and blood pressure were monitored. Desaturation onset, duration, and airway complications were recorded.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Comparisons were made using t -tests and Chi-square tests, with significance set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Group S had significantly lower SpO2 during induction ( P = 0.001) and intubation ( P = 0.007), shorter desaturation onset (1.12 vs. 1.55 min, P = 0.00089), and shorter desaturation duration (1.56 vs. 2.21 min, P = 0.013). More patients in Group S required advanced airway equipment (6 vs. 4), and 18% had postoperative desaturation versus none in Group B ( P = 0.002). Higher STOP-BANG scores showed stronger correlations with lower SpO2, earlier desaturation onset, longer desaturation periods, and increased airway complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a superior tool for predicting desaturation among overweight and obese patients during induction of general endotracheal anesthesia.